The National Union of Students (NUS) has organised a national day of action that will see staff and students across Australia protest against the $2.3 billion cuts announced earlier this year.

NTEU spokesman Michael McNally says there will be no classes from 12:30pm (AEST) at the Cairns and Townsville campuses.

"Classes will be cancelled and our labs won't run, libraries will be affected, some areas of the university will probably shut down," he said.

"Part of the action is also about the cuts that have been made to tertiary education by the federal Labor Government."

JCU says classes will still operate during this afternoon's National Day of Action.

Teachers and staff have been given permission to take part in the industrial action, that raises awareness of cuts to universities.

The university says it supports students who want to join the protest against the Federal Government cuts to the tertiary sector.

JCU spokeswoman Heather Gordon says the university has contingency plans in place.

"Staff have the right to take protected industrial action and if they wish, so then we have asked that heads of schools ensure that back-up plans are in place so that all services are running," she said.